Destination: Peru

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Peru Rail runs train services to major tourist spots Cusco and Macchu Pichu, although services to other areas in the country may be limited. Bus services criss-cross the country and are generally inexpensive, although the conditions of different model buses can vary considerably.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Peru covers a total area of 1,285,216 square kilometres and has a coastline of 2,414 kilometres. There are three main geographical zones in Peru – the arid Costa region in the west, the mountainous Sierra in the centre, and the tropical Amazonia region to the east. The Andes Mountains in the Sierra region cover almost 40% of Peru’s surface area,

The climate in Peru varies from region to region, from the dry and arid climate of the coast, to the cold climactic conditions of the mountains, and the wet and humid climate of the Amazonia region. Depending on when and where you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

There are 12 properties in Peru listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pe). Peru’s listed properties include:

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, the site of what was the largest pre-Columbian city in South America

Qhapaq Ñan (Andean Road System), the intricate ancient road system that once spanned the length of the former Incan empire

Manú National Park, which covers an area of 1.5 million hectares and holds some 850 species of bird species.

Contemporary Peruvian culture is a rich syncretic mix of both Spanish and pre-Columbian native influences, with many festivals and events showcasing the country’s unique cultural traditions. Catholicism is deeply rooted in Peruvian society, with many religious occasions dotting the calendar – notable examples include Fiesta de las Cruces, which features parades of elaborately decorated crucifixes, and Día de Santa Rosa de Lima, which celebrates the canonisation of Santa Rosa de Lima, the first-native-born American saint canonised by the Catholic Church. Native traditions live on through events such as Inti Raymi, which is held on the winter celebration, and is held in honour of the Incan sun god (‘Inti’). Other notable events include the Mistura Culinary Festival and the Fiesta de la Vendimia (‘The Wine Festival’).

Lost City of the Incas: The Story of Machu Picchu and Its Builders, by Hiram Bingham III
The Ancient Kingdoms of Peru, by Nigel Davies
The Last Days of the Incas, by Kim MacQuarrie
Peru: Elite Power and Political Capture, by John Crabtree and Francisco Durand.

Peruvian food is a fusion of native ingredients and foreign culinary influences. The main staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes, quinoa and legumes, while rice and meat also heavily feature in Peruvian diets. Like elsewhere on the South American Pacific coast, ceviche (a stew made from seafood and citrus juices) is immensely popular, and can be found in restaurants all over the Peruvian coast. Potatoes are an important source of sustenance in Peru, and is a key ingredient in many dishes, including causa (potato casserole) and papas a la huancaina (potatoes in spicy cheese sauce). The multicultural nature of Peru shines through in dishes such as lomo saltado, a dish created by Chinese immigrants and made out of steak, red onions, chilli and hot chips.

Pisco Sour, an alcoholic drink made from pisco (brandy), lime juice, syrup, and bitters, is the national drink of Peru. It is held in such high regard in the country that a national holiday is held in its honour, National Pisco Sour Day. Other popular beverages include chica morada (a non-alcoholic drink made from boiling purple corn with pineapple skin, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar) and chica de jora (a type of beer made from jora corn).

As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling through Peru. Crime is a significant problem in some of Peru’s major cities, so keep your valaubles close and pay attention to your personal security. Also, it is advised to avoid hailing taxis in the streets, and only booking taxis from a hotel or restaurant, or via a secure app.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Peru runs at 220V and 60Hz. Peru uses the Type A and Type C electric plug types, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.